Logitech diNovo Review

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Find out if this super system lives up to the price tag.

By M. Wiley

This is one of perhaps three computer peripherals that actually made me clean my home office desk. You simply can't use this thing on a surface with overflowing ashtrays, old coffee cups, and unmarked blank discs strewn about. This hardly justifies dropping two bills (at least) on a keyboard and mouse combo, but it's a neat byproduct. The diNovo also gets more props than anything except my new poker table.

I started using the diNovo about one week ago and have become extremely attached to it. It's not a perfect system, but the combination of advanced features and insanely slick design place it above al other input devices in my mind. The problem is that you really pay for it. I am sure that the relatively small product run and plenty of R&D justify the price, but it's still one hell of an investment for the consumer. If you can handle the cost and are looking to trim some wires, then the diNovo is an excellent solution. However, if you are on any kind of budget then one of Logitech's other combos would do the trick much more economically.

Many Logitech combos use keyboards and/or mice from other systems. The beauty of Bluetooth is that you can mix and match t a great extent. Logitech has taken advantage of this and began offering more options for wireless users. With the diNovo, however, they started from scratch. The keyboard and MediaPad look unlike any other PC peripherals I've seen. In fact, they look more like something from Apple than a PC maker.

As you can see, the diNovo is wafer thin. The keyboard and MediaPad has the same shape so they can be neatly set next to one another and look as if they are one. The separate design is convenient because you can move the number pad out f the way when you are not using it and give yourself more desk space.

While the MediaPad has many of the media controls, Logitech smartly placed them on the main keyboard as well. The main keyboard has a full-size QWERTY layout with navigation controls set to the right. You will notice that some of the basic controls have been rearranged, ostensibly for convenience's sake. This might take a bit of getting used to for some users. For instance, the "insert" key has been moved from the "delete" cluster and the "delete" key is twice as large as normal. I don't miss the "insert" key at all -- it's now in the cluster along the top row -- and actually quite like the large "delete" key.

As for extra keys, Logitech places them in the top left and right corners and the bottom right corner. On the top left you get sleep, home, email, and search. On the top right you get volume up, mute, and volume down. On the bottom right you get a D-pad media button. The D-pad is for basic media control, e.g. play/pause and track navigation. The media keys automatically associate with some programs. For instance you can control WMP with the D-pad even if you didn't use it to launch the program. You can set the actual media key to launch any .exe.

The MediaPad is an entirely new creation for Logitech. It looks simply like a separate number pad, but it is much more. Beneath the LCD are three buttons that determine what mode the MediaPad is in. You can choose number pad, navigate, or calculator. When in navigator mode the party starts. The buttons have small blue text that tells you what they will do in navigator mode. Keys include Windows, close, back, forward, and four directions. These keys can be used for everything from going through a presentation to closing programs and/or windows, to remotely controlling DVD playback. You also get the same little silver media controls that are on the main keyboard. These buttons work pretty well, but you often have to use the mouse for navigation. Bluetooth range is roughly 30 feet and doesn't require line of site, so PC theater folks will love the convenience.

The LCD displays information regarding currently playing media, email info, etc. However, it's a bit unpredictable. For instance, it gave the title of my movies though WMP but wouldn't display anything running on Winamp. This is sort of going to be a hit-or-miss issue for users.

Lastly you get an MX900 mouse, which is Logitech's flagship wireless model. Strangely, the diNovo feels better than either of the others I've tried. For one thing, the none of the buttons are overly stiff, which was a problem with the one that came with the Duo MX combo. Additionally, the scroll button travels more deeply into the body when clicked. Besides this, it offers the same outstanding wireless operation as any MX mouse.

Installing the diNovo was a bit unsettling. It's simply that you are installing a few different hardware components that communicate with one hub and a bunch of software. You sort of start it up and then hold on and hope for the best. For example, the hub connects to your PC through both USB and PS/2 (for the keyboard). If you use a password to log onto your computer you'll have to plug in your standard keyboard to enter the password, yank it out to install the diNovo, restart, plug on the old keyboard, and then plug in the new one. You only have to do this once, but it is mildly annoying.

Along these lines, the keyboard and MediaPad will disconnect after a few hours of use. You have to repair them with the hub if they are asleep. This requires pushing "connect" buttons on the components, pressing "connect" on the hub, and entering the generated passcodes. I have gotten used to it, but it is not as immediate as just plopping down and typing.

If you do get a diNovo, be sure to get the latest firmware. I couldn't even use it with Winamp 5.0 with the shipped software. You'll have to download a few items for complete operation. It's not exactly streamlined, but the Logitech sie does a good job of leading through the process.

Conclusion

The diNovo is an impressive little system. It might be "just" a keyboard and mouse combo, but it's the most bad-ass one around. There are a few quirks, but the only real obstacle should be price. The benefits of the media controls, perfect wireless communication, and comfortable layout make it an excellent desktop item, so long as you can afford the price of admission.